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Bishop Suresh Kumar Case: A Classic Case Of SC Converts Abusing Benefits Meant For SCs

By
The Commune
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Recently, it was reported that the District Collector of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh reportedly confirmed that Christian pastor Bishop K Suresh Kumar, running the Christian missionary organization Harvest India was not a Christian but a Hindu belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) and the SC ST Rights Forum have written to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes seeking action against the pastor for misusing benefits meant for Scheduled Caste.

Multiple complaints have been filed by a woman belonging to SC community and resident of Kollipara in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur District, alleging that Christian Bishop Kattera Suresh Kumar is holding a Scheduled Caste certificate to avail reservation benefits despite being a Christian Bishop, maintaining a big church, running several Bible colleges and awarding Christian theology degree through a large evangelical organization namely Harvest India.

Suresh Kumar and his wife also run a big Church named King’s Temple. As per their tax returns filed with US IRS, they run 10 Bible Colleges. Following this, an enquiry was ordered by the District Collector.

The complainant alleged that the District Level Scrutiny Committee had completely ignored the report of RDO Tenali submitted in the year 2014 in which the official had clearly stated that Mr. Kathera Suresh Kumar and his wife Ms. Thella Heny Christina are Christians and that Harvest India is a Christian organisation.

Filing an appeal against the decision of the district administration the complainant said that gross injustice has been done to the entire Scheduled Caste community in India as this case will become a precedent leading to lakhs of claims from Christian evangelists, clergy and Bishops into declaring them as Hindu Scheduled Caste in official public records thereby misuse of reservation benefits meant for genuine Scheduled Caste.

SC ST Rights Forum which has obtained the details of the complaint and subsequent decision of the district administration, has written a detailed letter to National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene in the issue.

The Forum has contended that since Bishop Kathera Suresh Kumar has claimed himself to be a Hindu and has been declared as such, it amounts to cheating of thousands of Christian donors who have donated to Bishop Kathera Suresh Kumar’s evangelist organization Harvest India ( FCRA- 10260176 ) on the belief and claim of Bishop Suresh Kumar and his wife that they are devout Christians, running a Christian evangelist organisation involved in evangelism, church planting, conversions to Christianity and training of pastors through 10 Bible Colleges.

The SC ST Rights Forum has requested the NCSC and MHA to initiate criminal proceedings against Bishop Kathera Suresh Kumar and his wife Heny Christina for cheating citizens of other countries and projecting themselves as Christians, collecting millions of dollars over a number of years.

It has demanded that all assets created out of donations from abroad be declared as ‘proceeds of fraudulent misrepresentation’, bank accounts of Harvest India frozen and the FCRA permission suspended immediately.

A Fake Hindu

Bishop Kathera Suresh Kumar has, by his words and actions, held out to the world at large that he is a Christian Bishop. Even in various newspaper reports and in a number of appreciation certificates given by various government officials like District Collectors, he has been referred to as ‘Bishop.

In the official newsletters of Harvest India published periodically and sent out to donors by Bishop Mr. Suresh Kumar and his team, the objective of their organization is stated at the top on the first page as ‘TO CARRY CHRIST’S COMPASSION TO EVERY VILLAGE IN INDIA’.

Despite overwhelming evidence that Bishop Suresh Kumar is a Christian as per law and as per the eyes of the world, he has been declared as a ‘Hindu’. By his own words, actions and deeds, Mr Suresh Kumar has projected himself as a Christian and a Bishop and under the Doctrine of Estoppel, he cannot deny this truth.

Selective Consideration Of Evidence By District Administration 

SC ST RIGHTS FORUM has present the details of evidence submitted by complainants in support of their claim that Bishop Kathera Suresh Kumar and his wife were Christians, before the District Level Scrutiny Committee which was completely ignored.

The complainants have alleged that while considering her complaint, the officials of the Guntur District Administration, Andhra Pradesh and members of the District Level Scrutiny Committee have selected evidence with a pre-concluded decision to declare the Christian Bishop Mr. Kathera Suresh Kumar as Hindu-SC.

She alleges that they have taken evidence from the Date of Birth Certificate of Bishop Suresh Kumar and up to his College Education and stopped there. Had the committee gone backward, from 2021 towards his date of birth and considered all the evidence submitted by us, Bishop Mr. Kathera Suresh Kumar would have been declared a Christian, SC ST Rights Forum also noted.

The Forum further said in its complaint that the committee has not conducted any inquiry into a massive Church named ‘King’s Temple’ constructed by Bishop Suresh Kumar in Garuvupalem village, Tenali Mandal, Guntur District where the grave of his deceased mother whose last rites were performed as per Christian customs is still in existence.

The DLSC has completely ignored evidence regarding the 10 Bible colleges being run by Bishop Suresh Kumar (as claimed in his tax returns filed with IRS, Govt. of United States of America / newsletters/video presentations /interviews/ social media posts).

“The DLSC has given huge importance to Bishop Mr. Suresh Kumar’s vague testimonies and artificially manufactured evidence of other people vouching that Bishop Suresh Kumar is a Hindu. While there is substantial evidence that Bishop Suresh Kumar is a Christian, the committee has completely ignored the fact that Bishop Suresh Kumar could not produce a single photograph/video/social media post of his visiting any temple, performing pooja, or celebrating any Hindu festival. While we have produced a huge volume of evidence of his preaching of the Bible, participating in Crusades, giving out theology degrees to Christian pastors. Yet the wise men of the DLSC have completely thrown overboard evidence submitted by us.”, a representative from the SC ST Rights Forum informed The Commune.

Harvest India’s Accounts

‘Harvest India’, the organization to which Bishop Kathera Suresh Kumar is the president, received crores of amount from Foreign Church organizations for Christian religious activities, preacher and priest training programs and other Christian religious functions. The same has been mentioned in the FCRA Returns filed by Harvest India with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for the financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14.

However, the District Level Scrutiny Committee has chosen to ignore this important point and took the statement of Bishop Kathera Suresh Kumar’s statement that Harvest India is not at all a Religious Organization.

Below are the details of funds received by the ‘Harvest India’ Organization represented by Bishop Kattera Suresh Kumar from Foreign Christian Evangelical Organizations to perform various Christian Religious Activities in India.

SC ST Rights Forum has said that it will be a dark day for the entire Scheduled Castes Community of the country if a Christian Bishop running an evangelist organization, 10 Bible Colleges and a big Church is declared as a Hindu and SC and has demanded for high-level investigation into the entire episode.

This article was originally published in Nijam Today and has been edited and published in The Commune. 

Now no one in Saudi can ask people to embrace Islam without permission

By
The Commune
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In a major development coming from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who are the custodians of Islam’s two holiest mosques, no one can issue any “Dawa” (the act of inviting or calling people to embrace Islam) activity without permission.

As per media reports published in gulfnews, the ruling entity will review the content of mosque libraries and remove books that call for extremism and partisanship.

According to five circulars issued by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Sheikh, no dawa activity will be held without obtaining a permit from the ministry and those who violate the directive will be held accountable.

Al Sheikh instructed the ministry’s branches should follow up on its implementation and submit periodic reports to the ministry and the circulars addressed mosque employees, including imams, preachers, muezzins, official preachers and part-time preachers in various regions of the Kingdom.

The second circular deals with combating extremism and partisanship and mosque libraries have been deemed as places of intellectual storehouses for those seeking knowledge, such as researchers and students.

The minister directed the departments concerned to review these libraries and feed them with what is useful and beneficial, and to remove books that call for extremism and partisanship.

Each branch of the ministry has now been tasked with preparing lists of books stocked in these libraries and ensuring that no book is deposited in libraries without approval and it has also directed Mosque employees to remove all unauthorised books from the libraries.

Al Sheikh called on mosque employees in all regions of the Kingdom to participate in intellectual security courses held by the ministry or other state agencies and should also participate by presenting research and scientific papers in seminars and conferences organised by the ministry or other state agencies.

The guidelines instruct mosque preachers to explain to the faithful the correct belief and Shariah rulings, underline the need to observe good manners and morals, as well as to adhere to good citizenship, obey the rulers, and stay away from talking about jurisprudential issues in which there is a divergence of views among scholars.

Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Mohammad Bin Salman has taken several steps to reform Islam and are working on rejecting some of the Hadis which have no historical relevance.

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India and Australia to hold first-ever “2+2” format dialogue at the defence and foreign ministry levels

By
The Commune
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India and Australia are working towards increasing deeper bilateral defence ties, and are gearing for more combat exercises, and greater cooperation on maritime security and information sharing when the two countries hold their first-ever “2+2” format dialogue at the defence and foreign ministry levels. reports Times of India.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be meeting with his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton on September 10 in New Delhi and later they will be joined by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar who will be meeting with his counterpart, Marise Payne, a day later.

The relationship between both countries has been on an upswing since June last year when India and Australia had upgraded the relationship to the level of a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” as India and Australia have also just kicked off the fourth edition of the “Ausindex” naval drill off Darwin.

Indian Navy has sent the guided-missile frigate INS Shivalik and anti-submarine corvette INS Kadmatt for the same.

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Taliban received help from Pakistan Air Force which used drones to drop smart bombs in Panjshir Valley

By
The Commune
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After the fall of the impregnable Panjshir Valley which was the last province of resistance in Afghanistan, it has emerged that the Taliban managed to secure victory only after Pakistani Air Force drones helped bomb targets using smart bombs according to former Samangan MP Zia Arianjad. 

On Sunday night, Fahim Dashty, the spokesperson of Ahmad Massoud was killed during fighting with the Taliban in Panjshir along with General Sahib Abdul Wadood Zhor, nephew of Ahmad Shah Massoud and a former prominent Mujahideen commander, was also killed in the battle, Asvaka News Agency reported. 

The Facebook page of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan also put out a statement saying, ” With deep touch and regret, we lost two dear brothers and colleagues and fighters today. Fahim Dashty, the head of the office of Amir Saheb Ahmad Masoud, and General Sahib Abdul Wadood Zhor, the nephew of the national hero of Afghanistan in the battle against the fascist group. Congratulations on your martyrdom!”

Resistance forces in the Panjshir valley had called for a ceasefire after they suffered heavy losses in the battle and had proposed the Taliban withdraw from Panjshir, and in return it will refrain from military action.

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India cannot hope to be a economic & regional powerhouse until it is dependent on defence imports: President Kovind

By
The Commune
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Ram Nath Kovind

After presenting the President Colour to Indian Naval Aviation, President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Monday (September 6) said that no country can hope to become an economic or regional powerhouse as long as they are dependent on defence imports.

Speaking at a function organised in Panaji, President Kovind also said that the prompt and effective deployment of the Indian Navy in the time of crisis, has underscored India’s vision of being the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in our region.

“As we move towards becoming a five trillion dollar economy, we must remember that no country can aspire to become an economic or regional powerhouse, while being dependent on imports to defend itself,” Kovind said.

“The Indian Navy has been at the forefront of indigenisation and this is well reflected in the Navy’s current and future acquisition plans, which are powered by indigenisation. In pursuance of the Government of India’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Indian Naval Aviation has also made steady progress in consonance with the ‘Make in India’ drive,” he added.

“It is a matter of great pride for the Indian Navy, that the indigenously built aircraft carrier, the new Vikrant has started sea trials. This gives a unique distinction to the Indian Navy, of being the only Navy in the region and one of the three navies of the world, that has maintained continuous carrier operations over the last six and a half decades,” he said.

He also said India had kept all its regional commitments and with our diplomatic engagements with friends and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

“While the natural tendency during Covid-19 pandemic was to look inwards, India and the Indian Navy have looked outwards. The Navy was a key instrument of India’s Covid outreach, delivering assistance and support to our maritime neighbours and partners in the Indian Ocean Region. I have no doubt that, the prompt and effective deployment of the Indian Navy in the time of crisis, has underscored India’s vision of being the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in our region,” Kovind also said.

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IREDA to support TANGEDCO in green energy projects

By
The Commune
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Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu Generation & Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), for providing its technical expertise in developing Renewable Energy projects and fund raising.

The MoU was signed by Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), IREDA and Rajesh Lakhoni, CMD, TANGEDCO in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and other dignitaries.

Under the MoU, IREDA will extend its technical expertise to TANGEDCO for Renewable energy project development, bid process management, and implementation support. IREDA will also assist TANGEDCO in debt raising through developing financial models, assistance in the understanding market instrument, underwriting services for the proposed debt requirement, and conducting pre-market surveys, road shows to generate interest amongst prospective investors.

TANGEDCO is planning for 20,000 MW of Solar Power Project, with adequate Battery Storage, 3,000 MW of Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project, and 2,000 MW of Gas Based Power Plant for efficient Renewable integration. The estimated loan required for the above projects is about ₹1,32,500 Crores approximately. IREDA, as the largest lender of the Renewable Energy sector is committed to play an important role in the fulfillment of the financial requirements for RE projects.

(Published from PIB)

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India and Australia commence bilateral naval exercise AUSINDEX

By
The Commune
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Indian Navy Task Group comprising IN Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt, under the Command of Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM is participating in the 4th edition of AUSINDEX from 06 to 10 Sep 21. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Warramunga which participated in Exercise MALABAR along with the IN units is also part of the exercise. This edition of AUSINDEX includes complex surface, sub-surface and air operations between ships, submarines, helicopters and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the participating Navies.

The participating Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt are the latest indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and Anti-Submarine Corvette respectively. They form part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.

Commenced in 2015 as a bilateral IN-RAN maritime exercise, AUSINDEX has grown in complexity over the years and the 3rd edition of the exercise, held in 2019 in the Bay of Bengal, included anti-submarine drills for the first time.

In the Fourth Edition, the surface units of both the countries will be exercising with HMAS Rankin, a Collins Class Australian Submarine, Royal Australian Air Force P-8A and F-18A aircraft, along with integral helicopters of both the Navies. The exercise will provide an opportunity for both Navies to further bolster inter-operability, gain from best practices and develop a common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations.

The exercise is a true representation of Joint Guidance signed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, IN and Chief of Navy, RAN on 18 Aug 21. This important document is aligned to the ‘2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ between the two nations and aims to further consolidate shared commitment to regional and global security challenges promoting peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The conduct of this exercise despite COVID restrictions is also a testimony of existing synergy between the participating Navies.

(Published from PIB)

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Taliban claims to have captured Panjshir Valley

By
The Commune
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taliban india

As reports emerge that the Taliban has  “completely captured” Panjshir Valley, Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement said, “With this victory, our country is completely taken out of the quagmire of war,”.

It has also emerged that the Panjshir province was bombed by Pakistani Air Force drones, reports India Today and Pakistani military officers are providing all sorts of tactical support.

The claim was made by former Samangan MP Zia Arianjad, who was quoted as saying by Aamaj News that Pakistani drones have bombed Panjshir using smart bombs.

Meanwhile, Fahim Dashty, the spokesperson of the Resistance Force was killed during fighting with the Taliban in Panjshir earlier on Sunday.

The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan also put out a statement on Facebook saying, ” With deep touch and regret, we lost two dear brothers and colleagues and fighters today. Fahim Dashty, the head of the office of Amir Saheb Ahmad Masoud, and General Sahib Abdul Wadood Zhor, the nephew of the national hero of Afghanistan in the battle against the fascist group. Congratulations on your martyrdom!”

However, all is not well because the Taliban’s co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is said to have been injured when his supporters clashed with the Haqqani Network, reports Times of India.

The clash is said to have taken place on Friday (3 September), which prompted Pakistani ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to rush to Kabul to contain the situation.

The shooting started over a power struggle between Baradar and Anas Haqqani. Both sides want the important portfolio of defense.

But upon his arrival in Kabul, Hameed had said, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” When asked if he will be meeting with the Taliban leadership, Hameed looked at Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul Mansour Ahmad Khan, before responding, “I have just landed. We are working for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

Hameed is the first senior Pakistan official to visit Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in the war-torn nation following a gap of two decades.

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IRCTC launches Shri Ramayana Yatra to promote religious tourism

By
The Commune
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The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched “Shri Ramayana Yatra” by Deluxe AC Tourists train to promote religious tourism in the country.

As per information provided by the IRCTC the Ramayana Yatra tour will start from 07 November and the total duration will be of 16 Nights/ 17 Days as pilgrims will be able to see the prominent sacred places associated with life of Lord Rama.

The cost of the package starts at ₹82950 and passengers have fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation- 1st AC and 2nd AC with enhanced security features of CCTV cameras and Security Guards for each coach.

IRCTC has launched this special tourist train under the Government of India initiative “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote domestic tourism and the per person ₹82950 package price covers train journey in AC classes, accommodation in AC Hotels, all meals, all transfer and sight-seeing in AC vehicles, travel insurance and services of IRCTC tour managers.

To ensure safety, all passengers must be fully vaccinated for guests of age group 18. 

The State of Art Deluxe AC Tourist Train will feature two fine dining restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor-based washroom functions, foot massager.

Tour Itinerary

Delhi – Ayodhya – Sitamarhi – Janakpur – Varanasi – Prayag – Chitrakoot – Nasik – Hampi – Rameshwaram – Delhi.

Train Itinerary

Delhi Safdarjung –Ayodhya –Sitamarhi –Varanasi –Manikpur Jn – Nasik Road – Hospate – Rameshwaram – Delhi Safdarjung.

Destinations and visits covered:

Ayodhya: Ram janmbhoomi temple, Hanuman garhi, Saryu Ghat.

Nandigram: Bharat-Hanuman Temple and Bharat kund

Janakpur: Ram-Janki Mandir.

Sitamarhi: Janaki Mandir at Sitamarhi and Punaura Dham.

Varanasi: Tulsi Manas temple, Sankat Mochan temple and Vishwanath temple.

Sita Samahit sthal, Sitamarhi: Sita Mata temple.

Prayag: Bharadwaj Ashram, Ganga-Yamuna Sangam, Hanuman temple.

Shringaverpur: Shringe Rishi Samadhi & Shanta Devi Temple, Ram Chaura.

Chitrakoot: Gupta Godawari, Ramghat, Bharat Milap temple, Sati Anusuiya temple.

Nasik: Trayambkeshwar temple, Panchvati, Sita gufa, Kalaram temple.

Hampi: Anjanadri Hill, Rishimukh Island, Sugreeva cave, Chintamani temple, Malyavantha Raghunath temple.

Rameshwaram: Shiva temple and Dhanushkodi.

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Communists in Kerala stop truck carrying ISRO equipment, demand ₹10 lakh as ‘gawking charges’ banned by HC

By
The Commune
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In the Communist-ruled Indian state of Kerala, a group of workers and local people in the capital Thiruvananthapuram yesterday (5 September) blocked a truck belonging to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) demanding a “gawking charge” or “nokku kooli “of ₹10 lakh, reports Hindustan Times.

The so-called workers who have ties with trade unions in the state stopped a truck that was laden with heavy equipment and was headed towards Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which is a key wing of ISRO.

As per VSSC officials, the truck was held hostage for more than four hours and upon no resolution, VSSC had to reach out to take the help of  Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan’s office, and thereafter, State’s Labour Minister V Sivankutty intervention got the truck the permission to go through.

But even after the state government intervention, it took several rounds of talks and protests for the matter to be resolved as the workers compromised with national security.

It should be noted that this incident took place came just three days after the Kerala High Court had pulled up the State Government for not effectively implementing the law to get rid of the strange practice called ‘nokku kooli’ which means gawking wages.

The court had said, “The practice is damaging the image of Kerala. It should be eradicated. It gives a wrong perception about the state. It should be corrected.”

The practice was abolished by the Kerala government in 2018, however, it is still widely practiced in the state where people are charged by licensed members of the headload workers for not doing any work and has the backing of militant trade unions and it has been called as extortion by registered trade unions.

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TheCommune
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